Matthew Coleman, Obstacles (LANDSCAPE & ENVIRONMENT 2026)

This image was captured on a freezing winter morning in Marysville, Victoria. Reaching the composition required carefully making my way across rocks and flood debris coated in frost, where every step demanded complete concentration. The conditions were extremely slippery, and I questioned more than once whether the photograph was worth the risk. When reviewing the image, I initially considered the large fallen log to be a distraction. The more I studied it, however, the more I realised it had become the heart of the photograph. To me, the log represents the obstacles we all encounter in life. They can appear to block our path, interrupt our plans, or distract us from where we want to go. Yet, with a change in perspective, those same obstacles can add depth, character and meaning to the journey. Rather than removing the fallen tree from the story, I chose to embrace it. It became a reminder that beauty isn't always found in perfect scenes, but often in the imperfections that challenge us to see things differently. This photograph is as much about resilience and perspective as it is about the quiet beauty of a winter morning in the forest.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.